Protesters throng to Tahrir Square

Thousands of Egyptians -- including a high turnout of Islamists -- throng to Cairo's iconic Tahrir Square.
They're here to demand change -- change they've been seeking since the popular uprising that toppled former President Hosni Mubarak began on January 25.
Nearly six months on since Mubarak was ousted, protesters are demanding that he be brought swiftly to trial.
His trial is now set for August 3, but the army's been accused of dragging its feet -- seemingly reluctant to hold their former commander-in-chief to account.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PROTESTER, MOHAMED ASHOUR, SAYING:
"I'm supporting the protest; our voice should be heard. I want to tell [General Prosecutor] Mr. Abdel Magid Mahmoud to make Mubarak's trial as swift as possible, it comes so late!"
Protesters from all walks of life and political backgrounds are here in force.
While there are concerns that clashes could break out between the many factions, one senior Muslim Brotherhood figure says this Friday is all about unity.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) PROTESTER, MAHMOUD DAWOUD, SAYING:
"We essentially came here to achieve the demands that all are agreed on, especially trying criminal figures. It is up to six months and there are promises but nothing achieved; we are bored of this. I can only see promises made 30 years ago that have not been implemented."
The Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists took part in a large rally on July 8 to demand a deeper purge of officials who served under Mubarak.
Islamists said they wanted to give the army time to respond, but other groups -- such as the April 6 youth movement -- have kept up constant pressure.
Some protesters even accuse the Brotherhood of making a pact with the army.
The group has vehemently denied the charges.
Travis Brecher, Reuters

Reuters, the news and media division of Thomson Reuters, is the world’s largest international multimedia news provider reaching more than one billion people every day. Reuters provides trusted business, financial, national, and international news to professionals via Thomson Reuters desktops, the world's media organizations, and directly to consumers at Reuters.com and via Reuters TV. Learn more about Thomson Reuters products: